Shoe press



April 2, 1946. F. DAWSON ETAL 2,397,843y

sHoE PRESS Filed My 1.1, 1944 4 sheets-sheet `1 bidw April 2, 1946. F. DAwsoN ET AL 2,397,843

SHOE PRESS y y Filed May 11', 1944 4 sheets-sheet 2 ffm l April 2, 1946.Y F. DAWSON r-:rAL

SHOE PRESS Filed May/ 11, 1944 4 sheets-sheet 5 April 2, 1946. v F. DAWSON ErAL SHOE PRESS Filed May 11, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 2, 1946 SHOE PRESS Fred Dawson, West Roxbury, and John F. Smith,

Quincy, Mass., assignors to Compo Shoe Machinery Corporation, Boston,

tion of Delaware Mass., a corpora- Application May 11, 1944, Serial No. 535,042

12 Claims. (Cl. 12-33) This invention relates to shoe presses for use in the manufacture of shoes and relates more particularly to shoe presses in which outsoles are attached to lasted uppers by means of an adhesive.

In shoe presses of this type, the shoes are placed in, and removed from, the presses from the heel post ends thereof. The heel and toe posts have to be retra-cted to permit this insertion and removal, and in prior presses, the mechanisms for clamping and retracting the heel posts has blocked the vision of the operator of the presses in the loading of the shoes in the presses, and the mechanism for clamping and retracting the toe and heel posts, and for adjusting same, has required too much time and attention from the operators.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a shoe press in which the heel and toe posts are simultaneously actuated for clamping and retraction.

Another feature of the invention resides in a substantial reduction in the space previously required by the heel post actuating mechanism.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for quickly adjusting the heel post for clamping shoes having different depths in their heel portions.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a last contacting surface on the heel post which automatically aligns itself when pressed against lasts having heel portions at different angles.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an iniiatable pad for pressing the outsoles of the shoes against the lasted uppers, which has its peripheral edges clamped to the base of the press.

An object of the invention is to reduce the space required in shoe presses by heel posts and their adjusting mechanisms.

Another object of the invention is to improve, in shoe presses, the heel and toe post clamping and retracting mechanisms.

The invention will now beV described with reference to the drawings, of which:

Figi is a side elevation of a shoe press embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view with a portion of the base shown in section, of the shoe press of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view, in vertical section, of the heel and toe post clamping and retracting mechanisms in retracted positions;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the lines 4-4 rubber member I2, the upper rubber member I3 and the leather cover I4.v The rubber members I2 and I3 overlap at their peripheral edges which are clamped between the peripheral edges of the base I 0 and the pad restraining member I5, which are drawn together by the clamping screws The pad restraining member I5 has the end portions I'I and I8 which extend over the heel and toe `portions respectively of the pad II and which restrain upward movement of the heel and toe ends of the pad when same is inated as will be described. The pad restraining member I5 is open between its sides and between its end portions i1 and I8 for permitting the upward movement of the sole contacting portion of the pad when it is inflated. The pad is adapted to be initiated through a valve assembly 9, the details of which are disclosed in the J. F. Smith U. S. Patent No. 2,152,366. e

The overlapping portions of the rubber members I2 and I3 of the pad may be pre-sealed by pressure and heat, or otherwise secured together before being clamped as described. Prior pads were loosely held in recesses in the press bases by the air inflating valves and their periods of life were materially shortened by the failure of the stitching which held the upper and lower portions of the pads together, under the strains resulting from the flexing of the stitched areas.

The press includes the usual bow shaped, upper member I9 which is attached to the base IB by the upright members 20. The enlarged portion 2| of the member I9 has a bore 22 which receive-s the sleeve 23 in which the heel post 24 reciprocates during its clamping and retracting movements.

The heel post 24 has the toothed rack 25 formed on one side and which is adapted to be engaged by the pawl 26 which holds the heel post in a selected position as will be described.

The pawl 26 is attached to the pivot shaft 21 which extends through the side walls 28 on the lower portion of the sleeve 23, and to one end the springV 35 extends.

l spring 35 is attached to the screw 36 .which.. 1s threaded into the heel post 24, and lts upper disengages the pawl vThe pawlv 26 thenengages .Correct position-z scoping larger diam-etenand in which are of which is attached the pawl release lever 29, and the other end of which is threaded to receive i the locking nut 3D. The spring 3l which extends in a bore in the pawl 2G and in the plunger 8, one

end of which contacts the screw 32 which is threaded into one of the Walls 28, presses the outer end of the pawl 26 downwardly for maintaining the innerend' `of thefv-pawl in..engagernent with the rackeZiin` the heel. post 24.

The heel post 24 has a central bore 3 1n which The lower end of the.

end is attached to the washerglWhhvlalsf the bore 22 in the enlarged portion '21 .of lthe member upwardly against the restraint of the pawl 25 engaging the rack 25. Lifting of the lever 29 upon the spring 35 retracts the heel post124to itsextremeupper position.

As maybeappreciated, the heel post 24 'may vbe easilyjad'jhstied foralllarticular size or depth of-shoe by merely-pulling theheel' post 24 downwardly .against Vthe resistance .of the spring '35 until theilast contacting, member 38 strikes the Yheel` portion of .a last. 3,9" asillustrated by Fig. l.

' thehad'jacent tooth of the rackr25 and maintains tliejheel post inthe It. will alsobe nbtedthat through the tele- Qf' the' heel'. DOST' supporting sleeve 213- and of the latter within the, enlargedportifonl'l of" the bow member i9 o'f the press, thexheel post when in its extreme upper`position, .does vnot extendabove the upper `sllrfacre.oftlle'nlen.110er 19..

The lower end of 'the heelk post 24 terminates Vin the member 42 vwhich has .a cylindrical inner surf a which the slots` 4Iu are formed'. The last contacting member 38`^has a cylindrical upper sury`acelconforrnable withandl in contact with the cfylirrdrical.A surface of the; member 42' and rhas a bore 43 in .valignment with the slots` 4l but of t contained the spring44'-v andi-theV steel balls 45.' The spring 44 pushes the bans 45 partially into the slots M which serve as seats for vthe balls. When the vmemberj3.1.'{stri'kes alast, it'rotates until its ylast contacting surfaceiis in exact alignment with, the flat upper. surface: ofthe rheelportion of the .last and the lfriction of the balls 45 against the slots 'M l mairrtjains its position;

Theasleeve A2j3 4has a lower portion 45 on the Vothersiderkof' thecbore Sllfrom the Walls 28, which hasfanfinclined upper surf'acevwhi'ch contacts the ooni'orrnablyv inclined lowersurfaces of the extensions 4T, ofK the. member- 4'8", which straddle thefheelpost-24 whenitl is in clampihgposition as illustrated byV Figs. ipv4, and'. The member litehasA formed*thereinA the slots 49 in which the inturnededges 5.0 of the plate 5f! extend and 26 from the rack '25 where- 24"withi'n the heel post ce. and which has the ,side-members 4i) in 175; lg, The Spring 3.5-...urgestheheeLlmSt "beldescribed cause the heel post to be lowered and raised for clamping and retraction as will be described.v The pin 54 being in engagement with the slot in the heel post also acts as a key to prevent l rotation of the heel post.

The horizontal plate 55 which is attached by the screws 56 to the lower surface of the bow member t9, has form-engin itsfflower surface a horizontally Iextendingslotfl-'tin-which the upper portion 58 of the wedge shaped reciprocating member 59 is tted, and which serves as a guide- ,Way for the reciprocationof the member 59 as Ywill be described.

jhe. t,o.e:;post;9-is slidably mounted in a ver- ;ticallwextendingzbore in the toe post support 62. Y'.'Ihewsupportzi;has in its upper portion, the

spacedi side members BI which slidably engage the sides of.the.plate-55 whereby the toe post support EZmay be positioned along the plate 55 as will The spring 63 around the toe post 60 inthe support 62 urges the toe postupwardly.

ftacting pad 641 attachedtojitslower end.

. "The upper surface offthetoe postlEU-is inclined conform'ably with the inclined lower surface of the wedge shaped member 59 whereby the hori rzontalreciprocation ofthe member 59 causest-he tce-posttomovedownwardly against rthe: restraint lof the spring c93i'for clamping the ,toeportionof the shoe, ormpermits the"'toe post utoinove upwar-diy underthe influence ofthe spring V63 for retractionof-theitoepost;

The -link 65- is pivoted' at. one end by 'thepiuot Y pin-65 tot-hemember T59 and is pivoted rat .its

which act asy guild'eways during the 'horizontal' reciprocating movement of' the member, 48. as will be described'. The; plate 5?15 is attached by the screws 521tothe lowersurface ofthe bow member The slot 53 is formed inthe inner surface of yone ofthe extensions "41", parallel to its inclined lowersurface anjd' the pin54 which is pressed into vaul'iole-fornfled'in the. .sleeve `23 extendsinto this 51,01'1'553 and; into a .slotA formed' in the heel post 24:.v .As 'the'- member L48 'is reciprocated back 'aiiejfertng the pin. 5#- nemg in the swt. erwin lother end-by 'the-pivot pinyBTto one end 10i the lever-1685. vThe-lever' 68Aextends through a slot in the-circular Y'head' 4"Hl ofS theL stud TI andis attached thereto by the 'screw-Si. "Thest'ud 1! extends throng-ha bore `inthe member TZwhicn extends-vertically'fdownwardly from the bow member I`i9, and its otherend Il"3"i"s reduced in diameter; is threaded and has attached thereto by.y theznut 14, thelever '15;

"The-other ,en-d foflthewlever 58, is attached by thepivo't/pin 15'- 'to-fone yenyd othe link. "i8, the

gpivtotpinegltof the member fdl?.

Rotation. .eff the .lever T5-in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Figs. '-l :and-5 of the drawings causes-thefabovedescribed'y links 65-and 1.8;. torotat and; to move-bhe'members 48 Aand 59 hnrizo-ntall'y inwardly-'towards y-each other tothe positions. illustrated by: Fig. i3; at which time vthe spring 63 would cause the toe post-60iftobe-re poSttDlbe'retraGted..

Rotation. of the lerer''lzzin a clockwisedirecfflGILWouldl cause.. .the links and I8 to `rotate and to move the members 48 andeghorizontally awayv from each other f-from, thefpos'ition-s illustr-ated; by iFig, 3i tofthe; positions-.illustrated by Figs. 1, 4, and 5, causingftheinclined-lower surfacepf. the memberiaztefslide alongzthe Vinclined act as locked toggles to prevent the wedge shaped members 48 and`59 from being moved when a shoe is pressed against the toe and heel posts.

For adjusting the toe post 68 for properly clamping a particular size of shoe, the upper side members 6l of the toe post support 62 are slidable along the plate 55 as described. The plate 55 has a, plurality of horizontally aligned circular depressions 80 formed in one vertical side. The screw 'l1 is threaded into one of the side members 6| Qf the toe post support 62, in alignment with the plane of the axes of the depressions 80 so that its inner end may be tted into one or another of the depressions 80 for anchoring the toe post support 62 in a selected position. Thus, the toe post support 62 may be moved to the right with respect to Fig. 1 of the Y drawings for receiving smaller sizes of shoes and may be moved to the left for receiving larger sizes of shoes.

As the toe post support 62 is moved along the plate 55 as described, the slidable contact of the lower inclined surface of the member 59, with the inclined upper surface of the toe post 60, causes the toe post to be raised when the toe post support 62 is moved to the left and to be lowered when the toe post support is moved to the right. Thus the toe post is automatically lowered and raised when it is adjusted longitudinally for smaller and larger sizes of shoes respectively.

The heel and toe posts may be clamped and retracted by the manual movement of the lever l5, or may be actuated for clamping andretraction, automatically, through movement of the conveyor in which the press illustrated is included. Such a conveyor is disclosed in the U. S. Patent No. 1,945,762. clamping and retraction of the heel and toe posts will now be described.

The lever 82 has a slot 83 formed therein, and the pin 84 extends through this slot and through the extension 85 of the bow member I9. The roller 86 is rotatably mounted on the outer end of the lever 82 and is adapted to ride up the cam 81 during movement of the conveyor following deflation of the sole pressing pad as described in said patent. This causes the roller 86 and the lever 82 to move to the right with respect to Figs. 1, 4, and 5 of the drawings, and to move the member 88 which is attac-hed to the other end of the lever 82 by the stud 89, to the right. The member 88 is formed on the lever 68 so that the movement of the lever 82 to the right as described, causes counter clockwise rotation of the lever 68. Thiscauses the links 65 and 18 to be rotated from the positions illustrated by Figs. 1, 4, and 5 to the positions illustrated by Fig. 3 and causes the members 59 and 48 to be moved towards each other, permitting the spring 63 to retract the toe post 60, and the spring 35 to retract the heel post 24.

The lever 92 is pivoted at its center `by the pin. 93 which extends through the extension 85 of the bow member I9, and a slot at its lower end engages the pin 94 in the lever 82. The vupper end ofthe lever 92 has the roller 95 rotatably attached thereto by the pin 96. The lever 91 actuated by the conveyor, is adapted to strike the roller 95 following the loading of another pair of shoes in the press and the starting of the conveyor, causing the lever 92 to move the lever 82 to the left with respect to Fig. 3 of the drawings and causing the lever 82 and the links 65, and` 68 to be moved from the positions illus- The means for the automatic.

trated by Fig. 3 to the positions shown by Figs.

the toe post 60, and the member 46 to move the heel post 24 downwardly to their clamping positions.

Assuming the start of an operation; the heel and toe posts retracted; the heel post in its extreme upward position, and the toe post in its extreme left hand position with respect to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the operator places a shoe in the press and rotates the lever 'I5 to place the heel and toe .posts in clamping positions. He then moves the toe post 60 to the right until the pad 64 snugly contacts the toe of the shoe and then rotates the screw 'Il vinto the nearest depression in the plate 55, thus locking the toe post in its correct position for that particular size of shoe. He then moves the heel post 24 downwardly until the heel seat 38 snugly contacts the upper surface of the last 39, whereupon the pawl 26 under the influence of the spring 3l, slips into mesh between the nearest teeth of the rack 25, thus locking the heel post in the correct position for that particular size of shoe.

'I'he pad Il is inflated and presses the sole against the shoe upper as is usual, it being under'- stood that adhesive had previously been applied to the inner surface of the sole and to the corresponding surface of the shoe upper.

After the padl is deiiated by movement of the conveyor as usual, the movement of the conveyor can cause the cam 81 automatically to strike the roller 86 and to affect the retraction of the heel and toe posts, if this is desired. Or alternatively, the conveyor may be stopped by the operator after deflation of the pad, and the retraction of the heel and toe posts affected by the rotation of the lever '15.

Following the placement of another shoe in the press, the heel and toe posts may be clamped by rotation-of the hand leverv 'I5 if thisis desired or, alternatively, the conveyor may be started and the clamping of the heel and toe posts affected automatically by the pressure of the lever 91 against the roller 95 prior to the inflation of the pad.

While one embodiment of the invention has been described for the purpose of illustration, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact apparatus and arrangement of apparatus illustrated, as modifications thereof may be suggested by those skilled in the art zvithout departing from the essence of the invenion.

What is claimed is:

1. In a shoe press, a press member, a heel post supporting member retractable within said press member, a heel post retractable within said supporting member, means for aiiixing said post at a selected position to said supporting member, and

means including a toggle joint for moving said clined lower surface formed complemental to said upper surface for moving said supporting mem- :mg-:member thedownward movemernzoi' said supporting: member.causesdownwardcmovement of said heel post.

3. a shoei, press, sa; :pressv member having a substantially verticalsboreiiormed therein-,1a heel postisupporting member havingfits.=uppeir portion i :in said bore,.said"-supporting "member havingafa i substantially: vertical: bore-1 formeii- .'.tl'rereini` andv f-having: an: enlarged: lawerfrportionhavingtsp aced `walls?straddling:said..lieel;.postea;.lieel post havingits-upper. .portiorr'in'zsaidibore in said;supp ortingmembenasaidWallsmavingfinclmedupper sur- .ffa'ces,.,means includingia:memberrhayingaanzinvclined lower: surfaceixformed' complementarpzto said".l upper surfaces: for` moving-11 said .f supporting ,member do wnwardly,=4 tfrom;` said spress: member,

porting vmember wherebyfthe: downwardmove- :ment of Y said:- supporting Vonem'ber 1 causesa.,fdo.wn

ward movementtof saidfsheel post..

.4.111. a., shoe press, ;al.;pressi member :haa/'ingsv a substantiallyvertical rbore; fiormeditliereim sa heel l `.post supporting memberhavingaan upper portion inssaid .bore,.1saidr;supporting membenhaving; fa

.substantially vierti'cal'ibore'l Vformed therein; a fheel post -`havingiits. uppeirportiorrinsaidebore insaid supportingimemben'lsaictsupporting membenhavf- `fing ,a lowerfrportion withianinclinednupper: surface, means .including'arzmemberxhavingfzaniinl gclinedv lower surace. .formedi'.1camplemental'. to asaid .upper :surfae;.-for;.moving asai'd; .supporting member downwardly' :from isaid press: member,

means;forafxingsaidheeh postrtdsaid supporting member :whereby' thezdownward movement-.of :said supporting; member icausespdownward movement of said heel post, a toe post support having eaiibore. formed thereomeattoeipostysupportedl in :said: bore; in-1said toe.- fpostzrsuppora, said'toew-post .havingvr an inclined; uppersurface, :andi-means` iny 'cluding afmember havinggam inclined lower-:sur- Vface formedi complementalzto the said. inclined surface. offsaid toe post: fonsmoyingasaidtoefzpost downwardly concurrently :Withthe downward v.

movement of said heel posti .5. .Inra .shoe. .press, .a1 presszmember having a lsubstantially.-vertical'zborefformed;ltherein,;atheel post .supporting member: havingiyitszfupper; iper*- .tionuinxsaid bore,;fsaid supporting i-memberzrhave a` substantially-"vertical:boreziormedftlrerein and. .having-z an.. enlarged-e' loweriggportion having -spaced walls straddling ,fsaid ,1post,::a. .heel post having its upper portion in said bore in. said supporting member, said '.walls,"havingV inclined upper surfaces,l means;includingl;a"member.v having .an inclinedlowerfsurface formed; complemen-` substantially ver-ti cal'bore: formed therein, ia, heel :posthavingits upper p'ortion..zinzsaid`-.horaire-said supporting member, sai'dsupporting'memberrhav.- ingraulower; portion .with an inclined luppersurtrace; reciprocatingfmember havingran. inclined .lower surfaceformed .complementalto =saidr-upper esurfaceoandxin contactv with..same;means Vsnp- .',porting #.saidifrecipr'ocatingY member for substantially 'horizontal reciprocation,l resilient means .urginggsaid heel; post Yupwardlypa. toe` .post Vsupfportingzzmemberra toe .post supported-:for sub.- st'antially vertical movement in said toerpostesupporting memberggsaid toe post4 having an: inclined :upper surface, Ava second reciprocating-:member haring; an ,inclined lower surf ace 1 formed: comple.- :mental to :said uppersurface ofV said toexpost, ,means supporting. said last mentionedreciprocat.- 4ing member forzsubstantially horizontal reciprocation,. resilient means .urgingrsaida toe post. up-- =wardly, and means for reciprocatingl said recipro- .catingvimernbers` for lowering' and raising saidf heel fazrdgtoe; posts.

"7.. In. a shoel press, apress member. havinga substantially yvertical bore formed therein-,Ka heel :postisupporting member having van upper fportionginsaid bore,. said .supporting member having; a.' substantially Vertical-bore formed therein, iaheekpost having its upper-portion in saidborefin saidzsupporting membensaid supporting member having zaxlovver;portion havingyside vwallsfstriaddling said heel post, said side walls. havingin- :climeidv upper surfaces, 1.av reciprocating member shavingan' inclined` lowerV surface. formed'4 complementalxtczsaid upperrsurfacesandin contact-with same, rmeansfsupportinggsaidz reciprocating; mem .ber forisubstantiallyf horizontal'. reciprocatiom. refsilient, means` urging said' heel post upwardly, 1a

toepostsupporting member, a toe post .supported `for substantially vvertical-movement in saidr toe post supporting memberpsaid toe post havingv an inclined. lower surface formedcomplementar to fsaid'iupper. surfaceY of said'toe post-means sup- :porting said;r last mentioned reciprocat-ing;.mem. Alber for substantially horizontal. reciprocation,` re.- isilient. means urgingsaidftoe post upwardlyggand meansfor` reciprocating; said reciprocatingirmemfbers-fornlowering and: raising sadxheelvand toe posts.

'f 8: Inashoepresssupportedformovementupon atconveyonamress memberhaving a substantially vertica-Lbore formedthereiniaheel post support- 'Y ing;member`havir1g;anupperportion in sai'dbOre, 'said supporting `memberl having,agsubstantially vertical bore formed therein, la heel post havingY its-lippen' portio-nxin' said; bore. in said..v supporting member, :said supporting 'member .having al lower portionfwith anfin'clined upper-suracega reciprocatingzmemberhauirrg. an inclined -lowerrsurface lformed'complemental. to; .said upper .surfacezzand in fc'ontact; with same,;means supportingzsa'di' re- .ciprocatingj'member for; .substantially :.-hori'zontal reciprocation,..resilient means4 urgingi'said .heel postupwardly, ia. toe post supportingemember; a .toezppost supported forv substantially vertical 'movement' in 'said toe: post supporting.v member, said toe. post'. having^ van .inclined upper: fsurfac'e; 'ai secondh recipro'catingrmernber.` having? an. inclined `lowerf'surface-.formed complemental t'osaidupper surfacerof said toe post, means supporting.` said last :mentioned reciprocating'member' for `substar-iti'allyY horizontal `'reciprocationv, resilient means -u-rgingsaid'itoepost upwardly; fm'eans 'iin- `'cl'u'di'ngpnsieafios` actuated by :movement offsai'dooneveyorflfor moving 'sa-id. reciprocating members lfor placinggsaidheel-'and --toe posts l'in clampingipos'ition, and means including means actuated by further movement of said conveyor for moving said reciprocating members for retracting said heel and toe posts.

9. In a shoe press, a press member having a substantially vertical bore formed therein, a heel post supporting member having an upper portion in said bore, said supporting member having a substantially vertical bore formed therein, a heel post having its upper portion in said bore in said supporting member, said supporting member having a lower portion having side walls straddling said'heel post, said side walls having inclined upper surfaces, a reciprocating member having an inclined lower surface formed complemental to said upper surfaces and in contact with same, means supporting said reciprocating member for substantially horizontal reciprocation, a

toe post supporting member, a toe post supported for substantially vertical movement in said toe post supporting member, said toe post having an inclined lower surface formed complemental to said upper surface of said toe post, means supporting said last mentioned reciprocating member for substantially horizontal reciprocation, and means for reciprocating said reciprocating members for lowering and raising said heel and toe posts.

10. In a shoe press supported for movement upon a conveyor, a press member having a substantially vertical bore formed therein, a heel post supporting member having an upper portion in said bore, said supporting member having a substantially vertical bore formed therein, a heel post having its upper portion in said bore in said supporting member, said supporting member having a lower portion having side walls straddling said heel post, said side walls having inclined upper surfaces, a reciprocating member having an inclined lower surface formed complementa] to said upper surfaces, and in contact with same, means supporting said reciprocating member for substantially horizontal reciprocation, resilient means urging said heel post upwardly, a toe post supporting member, a toe post supported for substantially vertical movement in said toe post supporting member, said toe post having an inclined upper surface, a second reciprocating member having an inclined lower surface formed complemntal to said upper surface of said toe post, means supporting said last mentioned reciprocating member for substantially horizontal reciprocation, resilient means urging said toe post upwardly, means including means actuated by movement of said conveyor for moving said reciprocating members for placing said heel and toe posts in clamping position, and means includ- 5 in-g means actuated by further movement of said conveyor for moving said reciprocating members for retracting said heel and toe posts.

11. In a shoe press supported for movement upon a conveyor, a press member having a substantially vertical bore formed therein, a heel post supporting member having an upper portion in said bore, said supporting member having a substantially vertical bore formed therein, a heel post having its upper portion in said bore in said supporting member, said supporting member havin-g a lower portion having side walls straddling said heel post, said side walls having inclined upper surfaces, a reciprocating member' having an inc-lined lower surface formed complemental to said upper surfaces, and in contact with same, means supporting said reciprocating member for substantially horizontal reciprocation, a toe post supporting member, a toe post supported for substantially vertical movement in said toe post supporting member, said toe post having an inclined upper surface, a second reciprocating member having an inclined lower surface formed complemental to said upper surface of said toe post, means supporting said last mentioned reciprocating member for substantially y horizontal reciprocation, means including means actuated by movement of said conveyor for moving said reciprocating members for placing said heel and toe posts in clamping positions, and means including means actuated by further movement cf said conveyor for moving said reciprocating members for retracting said heel and to posts.

12. In a shoe press, a press member, a heel post 40 supporting member retractable within said press member, a heel post retractable within said supporting member, means for aflixing said heel post at a selected position to said supporting mem ber, a retractable toe post supported by said press member, means for pressing a shoe against said heel and toe posts, and means including a single operating lever for moving said supporting member and heel post and said toe post in unison from a retracted position to a shoe engaging position, and for preventing movement thereof when a shoe is pressed thereagainst.

FRED DAWSON. JOHN F. SMITH. 

